Career Opportunities at Rookery Bay

The Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve has a staff of nearly 40 individuals working in various capacities including research, stewardship, education, coastal training, facilities and administration.

Many of the jobs here are salaried and benefitted either through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Coastal Office or Florida International University. Other Personnel Services (OPS) positions are also available and some are funded by the Friends of Rookery Bay and/or other partnering organizations. Available position details and applications are posted below. Visit jobs.myflorida.com for more opportunities elsewhere within our agency.

Internships

Rookery Bay Research Reserve offers internship opportunities under the following categories:• Paid internship: a continuing position, either full-time or part-time, with a stipend based on experience and work expectations. The stipend will vary may be reduced or eliminated if the reserve is providing housing.• Credit internship: a continuing position that provides students with school credit as approved by their academic institution for the number of hours as required by the institution, usually 135.• Project-based (ad hoc) internship: a position that may be made available for appropriate candidates whose interests align with staff needs to accomplish a specific project. Stipend or credit hours may be encumbered at the successful completion of a pre-determined project.

There are also a number of “unpaid” opportunities that may be available to interested parties who seek to gain experience as a volunteer. If accepted, the candidate is not considered an intern, but will be working to provide ongoing assistance or help with a specific project. Visit our volunteer section.

Current Opportunities

The current career opportunities are listed below with application instructions. Check back often to ensure you do not miss an opportunity that meets your interest. Thanks for your interest in becoming a part of the Rookery Bay Reserve team!

AVAILABLE INTERNSHIPS

Cape Romano Sea Turtle Program Internship

Description: Rookery Bay Research Reserve is foraging ground to three species of sea turtle. Kemp’s ridley (Lepidochelys kempii) and Atlantic green (Chelonia mydas) turtles are both listed as Endangered species, and the loggerhead (Caretta caretta) is listed as a Threatened species. The loggerhead is the most common species of sea turtle that nests along Reserve beaches. Rookery Bay Research Reserve staff work in cooperation with U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and the Conservancy of Southwest Florida to preserve this threatened species. Reserve staff, interns and volunteers patrol the beaches to locate and cage nests, protecting them from predation by raccoons. They then document the number of hatched eggs to get a better understanding of nesting success.

Friends of Rookery Bay is seeking an intern to assist Rookery Bay Research Reserve staff monitor nesting activity and hatching success along the Cape Romano Complex, contributing to a multi-year data set. The intern will be responsible for scheduling and supervising volunteers. The intern will also work closely with the Friends of Rookery Bay to assist with the Adopt-A-Nest program. The intern will also present the results of a project related to sea turtle nest monitoring at the Rookery Bay NERR Environmental Learning Center for the staff and volunteers.

Qualifications: Applicants must have a B.S. or B.A. in an environmental science related field. They must be competent in basic boating skills, including navigation in shallow estuarine/ocean tidal conditions, basic boat and engine maintenance, and boating safety. In addition, they must have a valid driver’s license, be able to swim, and have basic First-Aid skills. Good field observation and data gathering skills are required, as are good people skills. Must be physically able to work in summer outdoor conditions that include summer heat and humidity, biting insects, and rain. GIS and GPS skills are a plus but not required.

About: Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve provides a basis for informed stewardship of estuaries in Southwest Florida through research and education. The Reserve is managed by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Coastal Office in cooperation with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Additional support is provided by the non-profit Friends of Rookery Bay.

Internship Dates: April 22 – September 30

Internship Schedule: Tuesday – Saturday 7AM -3 PM. Times may vary depending on weather and nesting conditions, intern must be flexible and be able to adjust as needed.

Last Date to Apply: February 15, 2019

How to apply: Send a resume, cover letter and three letters of recommendation to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Education Intern

Pay Rate: College credit

Hours Required: Up to 16 hours per week, depending on college requirement. This position requires morning and afternoon availability on one or more of the following days: Wed, Thu, or Fridays.

Position Description: This position is a part-time opportunity serving as the Education Intern at Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in Naples, FL. This position supports a variety of on and off-site educational programs delivered to audiences of all ages. The prospective intern need not be an education nor science major – art, English, computer majors, etc. could possess skills to aid the education department. Any student with an interest in education or the environment is encouraged to apply.

Requirements: Basic computer skills are required. Selectee must be proficient in Microsoft Office based programs, especially PowerPoint and Word. The intern is expected to arrive on time each day they are scheduled to work and successfully complete assigned tasks within a reasonable time frame. The intern should be prepared for work both inside or outdoors. Preferred skills include: ability to follow directions, ability to manage time appropriately, ability to communicate effectively and appropriately to a variety of age groups, ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Responsibilities: Primary duties include assisting with delivery of programs for 4th grade and 7th grade students. The Education intern will also deliver programs and presentations to the general public visiting the Environmental Learning Center, and have opportunities to participate in high school and college field trips. Based on student’s interest and availability other responsibilities may include: interactive surveys, photography and video production, aquarium assistance, and the handling of live marine animals. The intern will also be expected to observe/participate in field work with other departments to enhance their understanding of the variety of work that takes place within Reserve boundaries.

Opportunities for learning and career growth: The objective of this program is to provide the selected candidate the opportunity to improve their knowledge about coastal and estuarine ecosystems, to develop their public speaking skills, and to utilize their creativity in improving and developing programs and presentations order to assist education department staff deliver high quality, positive and rewarding experiences to visitors to the Reserve.

Start Date: Synonymous with school term

Required Trainings to attend: TBD

To Apply: Email resume and cover letter toThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.